Where we fit in the government and education system

The role we play as an education agency in the New Zealand Government and education sector

NZQA is one of the agencies that manage and regulate the education system in New Zealand.

We work with other education agencies to:

  • make sure education is high-quality and running well in New Zealand
  • help learners make informed choices about their education
  • maintain correct and timely records of each learner's educational achievements
  • support government strategies to improve education in New Zealand.

Our part in the New Zealand Government

We are:

  • a statutory entity under Subpart 2 of Part 5 of the Education and Training Act 2020, and
  • a Crown agent under the Crown Entities Act 2004.

We have authority to make rules and regulate parts of the education sector.

Making rules under the Education and Training Act 2020

Section 452 of the Education and Training Act 2020 says that we can make rules:

See section 452 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (external link)

The relevant parts of the Education and Training Act 2020 are:

  • Section 524 - Courses for international students
  • Subpart 5 of Part 4 - Private Training Establishments
  • Subpart 7 of Part 5 - International Students
  • Subpart 2 of Part 5 - New Zealand Qualifications Authority
  • Subpart 7 of Part 4, Subpart 8 of Part 5 and Section 665 - Miscellaneous Provisions (offences, injunctions and Court orders)
  • Sections 649 and 661 and Clause 71 of Schedule 1 - National student numbers

Go to NZQA Rules

What it means to be a Crown entity

NZQA has its own Board and reports directly to the Minister of Education.

Find out about the NZQA Board

How we work with education agencies in New Zealand

As part of the New Zealand education sector, we:

  • work closely with other core agencies
  • share information with these agencies to help each other's work and streamline processes
  • contribute to shared projects that support learning and learners in New Zealand.

The Ministry of Education (MoE)

Together with the Ministry of Education we:

  • check the quality of achievement standards
  • support schools in delivering quality teaching and learning
  • boost learner achievement
  • promote STEM learning
  • support education-wide projects and strategies.

The Ministry of Education (external link)

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)

Working with the Tertiary Education Commission we:

  • administer government funding for education providers
  • make sure that education providers that get government funding deliver quality training
  • promote Fees Free.

The Tertiary Education Commission (external link)

The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand

With input from the Teaching Council, we make sure that any teachers in New Zealand have suitable qualifications.

The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (external link)

The Education Review Office (ERO)

When checking the quality of education providers, we coordinate with the Education Review Office to make sure we have similar processes.

The Education Review Office (external link)

Careers New Zealand

We help Careers New Zealand provide the public with up-to-date information on relevant qualifications and credentials.

Careers New Zealand (external link)

Other government agencies we work with

There are other projects and functions that we share with government agencies.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

We:

  • contribute to free trade negotiations
  • give advice on arrangements for recognising overseas qualifications in New Zealand or taking New Zealand qualifications overseas
  • help Pacific countries to develop their educational systems through PACER Plus.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (external link)

PACER Plus (external link)

Immigration New Zealand

We help people immigrating to New Zealand by assessing their overseas qualifications to see what the equivalent qualification is in New Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand (external link)

Education New Zealand

Education New Zealand promotes New Zealand as a prime destination for international students.

Our work:

  • ensures that international students are safe and well-supported while they are in New Zealand
  • checks the quality of the providers they study at
  • supports New Zealand education that is delivered offshore.

Education New Zealand (external link)

Cross-agency projects

Understanding the experience of disabled learners

The MoE, NZQA and the TEC are working with the National Disabled Students' Association to examine and understand disabled learners' experiences in tertiary education.